For the whole of Sunday’s opening hours at Sainsbury’s in Banbury, the band entertained the shoppers and raised much needed funds to help keep the band going through the winter.

The band and its helpers played shifts throughout the day, and Mr. Owens (Chairman Rhys to us) gave some of his school pupils a taste of performing in public when they joined us for a massive performance of Jingle Bells. The Mayor popped by to say hello, many shoppers commented on how nice it was to hear a proper band, and one even admitted to singing along to the carols as she went up and down the isles.

We then decamped, via the pub, to Brackley to play with the Junior band at this year’s community Carol Singing in the market square. As usual it was packed out and the players, John Bennett, the weather and Santa’s performances were all excellent.